Ear Surgery

With ear surgery, you can address ears that stick out, damage from injuries, congenital defects and more, all while boosting your confidence! Your ears will be bandaged for 1 to 2 weeks.

Whether it’s their shape or how far they stick out from your head, there might be aspects of how your ears look that bothers you. With ear surgery, you can address these problem areas while boosting your confidence!

What is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to alter the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is commonly performed to correct protruding ears, reduce the size of large ears, or reshape deformities caused by injury or congenital conditions.

Benefits of Otoplasty:

Enhanced Appearance: Creates a more natural and balanced look by correcting ear protrusion or asymmetry.
Boosted Confidence: Improved ear aesthetics can significantly enhance self-esteem, especially for children and teenagers.
Permanent Results: Provides lasting changes that improve the overall harmony of facial features.
Customization: Tailored to your specific needs and aesthetic goals for natural-looking results.

Common Reasons for Considering Otoplasty:

Protruding Ears: Ears that stick out too far from the head.
Large Ears: Ears that are disproportionately large for the head.
Asymmetry: Ears that are uneven in size or shape.
Ear Injuries: Deformities caused by accidents or trauma.
Congenital Conditions: Birth defects such as microtia (underdeveloped ears).

How Ear Surgery is performed

The approach taken for your ear surgery is tailored to your needs. When operating on children, general anesthesia is preferred for their comfort. Adult patients can choose from local or general anesthesia or choose IV sedation. Most ear surgery procedures take somewhere between 1 to 2 hours to perform.

Incisions are typically small and barely visible. In some cases, splints will be worn after ear surgery to better encourage the ears to take the proper shape; this is more common with pediatric patients since their cartilage is still soft. In some cases, cartilage will need to be removed in order to achieve the desired results.

The Otoplasty Procedure:

Consultation: Discuss your goals, medical history, and expectations with Dr. Stubbs. This initial consultation will help determine the best approach to your otoplasty.
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia is typically used to ensure comfort during the procedure.
Incisions: Incisions are usually made behind the ears to minimize visible scarring.
Reshaping the Ears: Dr. Stubbs will reshape the cartilage to create a more natural ear contour. This may involve removing or folding the cartilage and securing it with permanent sutures.
Closing the Incisions: Once the desired shape is achieved, the incisions are closed with sutures, and bandages are applied to support the new shape of the ears as they heal.

Recovery:

Initial Downtime: Plan for about one to two weeks of downtime. Swelling and bruising are common initially.
Pain Management: Pain and discomfort can be managed with prescribed medications.
Follow-up Appointments: Attend all follow-up appointments with Stubbs Center to monitor healing and ensure proper recovery.
Full Recovery: Swelling and bruising will gradually subside, with final results becoming more apparent over several months.

Post-Surgery Care Tips:

Rest: Get plenty of rest and avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activities.
Hydration and Nutrition: Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet to promote healing.
Wound Care: Follow Dr. Stubbs instructions for wound care to prevent infection.
Head Elevation: Keep your head elevated to reduce swelling.
Avoid Pressure: Refrain from sleeping on your side or applying pressure to the ears for a few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

This varies based on numerous factors, including the age of the patient, the type of ear surgery and what anesthesia is needed. Your final cost will include the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fee, and facility/OR fee. It may include other costs as well, depending on the situation. To get an accurate estimate for your ear surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stubbs.
In some cases, health insurance will pay for ear surgery. This is typically only in cases where it is considered reconstructive, restoring the outer ear after an injury or to correct a congenital defect. When the procedure is considered to be purely cosmetic, it is unlikely that insurance will cover it. Additionally, insurance companies tend to be more open to cover ear surgery in children rather than in adults who have already spent years living with their condition.
Start by researching cosmetic ear surgeons near you and dig into the patient reviews. Sticking with the best reviewed surgeons is always a great first step. Narrow your list to about five options, then check out their websites to see their before and after photos of ear surgery patients to see if there are some that align with your goals. Schedule consultations with 2 to 3 surgeons you think will be a good fit and pick the one you feel best about working with.
They are typically minimal, though this varies based on the specific ear surgery you need. In most cases, incisions are made behind the ear and are very small, making them hard for others to see. However, if you need reshaping of the shell or lobe, your scars might be easier to spot.
It’s generally best to get ear surgery after age 5, since the ears are fully developed at this point. If the ear needs reshaping, it’s best to get the surgery during childhood, when the cartilage is easier to manipulate, allowing for more conservative surgery. In some cases, surgery can be avoided entirely. However, if you are already well past childhood, you can still benefit from ear surgery.